The Dark Society

64

 All day, Sabrina suffered conflicting feelings, because Luis' sudden arrival complicated everything. More importantly, he'd come to America even amid the insistence to stay away. (Another notion she wasn't expecting). Nevertheless, Sabrina proceeded to Saint Anthony's, fearful of a diminishing relationship.

Not long ago, Jennifer settled in Webb Place and wanted to make plans. But, regardless of elation, Sabrina viewed the unexpected invitation as peculiar. After all, summer was coming and calendars were filled, so chances of reuniting seemed unlikely. No matter what happens, tonight was about faith and revival of the coven. Given this, Sabrina entered Saint Anthony's, eager to commit.

"Come, everyone's waiting." Michelle advised.

Close behind, Raina followed.

"I'm glad you made it."

Next, everyone accessed a basilica embellished with brilliant crimson flares. A setting exhibiting a unique correlation between light and shadow. On another note, as Sabrina regarded the grandeur, Raina organized relics, quoting foreign verbiage and unfamiliar dialects.

(Not uncommon for a renewed tenet in theology). Succeeding, Michelle seized a hand, and together, she and Sabrina toured a restricted section of the temple: the moseleum. It was then Sabrina remembered the horrors of recent actions.

"It was me." she mumbled, gazing into her palms.

"What is it?" Raina inquired.

Immediately, Sabrina twisted.

"An extinction of life."

Right away, Raina and Michelle recoiled as Rachelle, Denise, and Kim arrived.

"In that case, we institute a season of remembrance." Denise characterized, flaming chrome-plated lanterns.

Instantly, Sabrina stared in awe as Aphrodite arose from the shadows.

"How'd she get here?" she demanded, closing.

"The goddess called, and you answered." Denise confirmed, motioning.

In similar fashion, Sabrina noticed an altar adorned with black and ruby tapers and silk ivory valances. All the more important, various psalms laid prominent on the main podium. Oftentimes, Raina utilized such displays when presiding over a sacrament, so as edgings fell, intentions became clear.

"The Greek goddess Gaia -- Goddess of the Earth and prophecy..." Raina began, gesturing. "Also known as the primordial mother and personification of Earth..."

"The Hindu Goddess Sarsawati -- The Goddess of knowledge, language, and the arts..."

"The Greek Goddess Themis -- Goddess of divine justice, order, and customs..."

"And finally..." she concluded, caressing the last statue.

"The Celtic Goddess Arianhod -- Goddess of fertility, rebirth, and fate."

Following that, Raina advanced.

"Every witch binds with a goddess, and Aphrodite is yours."

"I know..." Sabrina acknowledged. "Somehow, I've always known."

Agreeably, Raina nodded.

"First, assimilate the consciousness..." she explained, "Then, exert its strengths."

"I can't." Sabrina retorted.

Squeezing her hand, Raina simpered.

"At first, it seems impossible..." she continued. "But, once we integrate your power, it won't be."

In the wake, Raina unveiled a rare Athame and pierced her fingertip. Next, as droplets trickled into a chalice, she approached Rachelle, and dispensed the sacred blade. Naturally, she repeated decrees and centered on Denise. And following her offering, Raina presented the grail to Sabrina.

Finally, savoring contents, she cleared margins, and inherited a lifetime of the coven's illustrious experiences. Each inclination - a unique and relevant narrative of growth.

Sometime thereafter, while revering Aphrodite, a petite effigy of Hecate surfaced. Instinctively, Sabrina concealed the statue and never spoke of it, since finding it wasn't an oversight, and she knew it.